Review: Canon EOS R5 Mark II | Perfect Hybrid Camera for Pros?

In 2024, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II arrived, bringing impressive upgrades to the already stellar EOS R5. We took the EOS R5 Mark II to the rugged Scottish Highlands to test it in challenging conditions. 

This review will cover the Canon EOS R5 Mark II’s image quality, performance, design, handling and specs. We’ll also look at the R5 Mark II’s autofocus and EyeAF feature, IBIS and video. Find out whether the Mark II is worth the upgrade.

Key Specifications

• 45-megapixel full-frame backside-illuminated sensor

• Up to 30fps continuous shooting with electronic shutter, 12fps mechanical

• 8K/60p RAW video recording 

• Canon C-Log2 profile

• Waveforms and false colour display

• Dual card slots (CFexpress Type B and SD)

• Better weather sealing

• Passive cooling system

• Improved readout speeds compared to the original R5

Pros 

• Excellent image quality

• BSI sensor allows for faster readout speeds

• Advanced autofocus capabilities

• Professional video features

• Improved heat management

• Robust build quality

• Versatile hybrid features

Cons

• Premium price point

• Complex feature set with a steep learning curve

• Best performance requires CFexpress cards

Image Quality and Performance

Image quality from the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is exceptional across all key areas, but it isn’t much different from its predecessor. Detail retention is still outstanding, and the dynamic range is just as impressive as the Canon EOS R5. But the most significant improvement is the backside-illuminated sensor technology, which allows for really fast readout speeds and blackout-free shooting. 

We tested the R5 Mark II with the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM, RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS, RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS and RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS.

The camera's performance in low-light conditions shows marked improvement over its predecessor, with consistent colour accuracy maintained across varied lighting scenarios. This level of image quality positions the R5 Mark II as a formidable tool for professional photographers across all disciplines. The R5 Mark II is a standout hybrid camera. 

Autofocus and EyeAF

The autofocus system is impressive on the R5 Mark II. It's got all the usual bits — eye tracking, animal detection and vehicle tracking — but Canon's added some neat tricks. A new 'Action Priority Mode' is particularly brilliant for sports photography. At launch, it works with football, basketball and volleyball, understanding player movements and anticipating the action.

A particularly useful addition is the ability to register up to 10 faces in order of priority. Wedding photographers will love this—you can ensure the camera always prioritises the happy couple in group shots.

New viewfinder, or the same? 

The R5 Mark II retains the same OLED viewfinder resolution (5.76M dots) and magnification (0.76x) as its predecessor, but features completely redesigned internal optics to accommodate the new Eye-control AF. While this creates the impression of a larger viewfinder when looking at the camera, the viewing experience remains unchanged.

A notable upgrade is the viewfinder's increased brightness compared to the original R5, though it doesn't quite match the Canon EOS R1's capabilities. This enables the 'Optical Viewfinder Simulation' mode, similar to the Canon EOS R3. However, the viewfinder can't fully preview HDR content. The eyepoint has been slightly extended to 25mm (a 1mm increase), allowing users to see the complete viewfinder display from a slightly greater distance.

Pre-continuous shooting

The R5 Mark II's pre-continuous shooting feature helps a lot when capturing spontaneous moments. This function begins capturing images with a half-press of the shutter button, storing up to 15 RAW images in the buffer until you fully press the shutter — effectively letting you record moments that occurred before your final click.

Initially, pre-continuous shooting seemed primarily suited for wildlife photography or sports photography. Capturing precise moments like a goal-scoring kick can make the difference between a good shot and a great one—and the R5 Mark II’s pre-continuous shooting works very well for that. However, its applications extend far beyond sports and wildlife. For family photography, for example, the camera is great at capturing unpredictable, fleeting moments—from a child's brief, candid expression to the explosive splash of a pool dive. These split-second events are often difficult to capture because they might happen too quickly, but pre-continuous shooting helps a great deal in making the hit rate on those types of shots much higher.

While pre-continuous shooting can quickly fill memory cards and will require selective use, its impact on capturing decisive moments is revolutionary. The R5 Mark II's customisable interface allows quick access to this function through the Quick menu, making it readily available when those critical moments arise.

IBIS Tests

How about real-world performance, though? The image stabilisation is impressive—up to 8.5 stops in the centre of the frame. We managed sharp shots at 70mm with 4-second exposures handheld—not too shabby at all.

For example, we took the picture below at a 4s exposure at 70mm handheld. While it’s not particularly sharp, it’s far better than you’d expect from capturing such a long exposure handheld. It speaks to the fantastic IBIS in the Canon EOS R5 Mark II. 

Serious Video Capabilities

The standout improvement of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is its significantly better video capabilities. The camera has taken a leap forward, thanks in large part to its stacked sensor. The R5 Mark II’s improvements go beyond just speed—they've finally brought more of their Cinema EOS expertise to the EOS R5 line, resulting in a more complete professional video tool.

The more professional toolkit includes exposure tools like waveforms, false colour display and zebra patterns — features previously reserved for Canon's Cinema line. These additions make precise exposure control more intuitive and accessible.

The RAW video capabilities are particularly impressive. The R5 Mark II offers both 8K RAW recording at up to 60p and 'SRAW' 4K video at up to 60p, both in the cinematic DCI format with its 1.89:1 aspect ratio. To manage the enormous data rates of high-frame-rate RAW recording, Canon employs their 'Raw Light' compression format for 50p and 60p footage, striking a balance between quality and file size.

The R5 Mark II now supports two Log video formats: C-Log3 and C-Log2. While C-Log3 expands upon the capabilities of the standard C-Log profile, C-Log2 offers even greater dynamic range capture. C-Log2 is the key log profile brought over from cameras like the Canon EOS C70 or Canon Cinema EOS C300 Mark III. The R5 Mark II is their first non-Cinema EOS camera to feature C-Log2 recording, enabling smoother integration with their professional cinema camera lineup. 

Canon has also finally addressed the original R5’s heating issues with built-in cooling vents on the R5 Mark II. They've even gone further by offering an optional battery grip with active cooling for serious video work.

Handling and Design

We tested the R5 Mark II in typical Scottish conditions—wind, rain and midges included. The R5 Mark II didn't miss a beat. The polycarbonate body feels solid and handled everything the elements threw at us with ease. 

In terms of the camera body design of the R5 Mark II, it is mostly the same as the original R5, with some slight tweaks. The power On/Off switch has moved from the top left corner to the top right of the camera by the mode dial switch. In its place is now a dedicated Photo/Video modes switch. We are big fans of this change, and it doesn’t take long to get used to it. It shows a better thought-out design for hybrid shooting and better separation of video and photo. 

Other additions to the R5 Mark II include a tally light for recording and a multi-function hotshoe, carried over from the EOS R3. This hotshoe allows for the use of theCanon DM-E1D Stereo Microphone and the ST-E10 Speedlite Transmitter.

The EOS R5 Mark II is compatible with the excellent LP-E6P while maintaining compatibility with LP-E6N and LP-E6NH batteries (but not the original LP-E6). The LP-E6P produces more sustained power output, which is needed for several demanding features like Pre-burst shooting, HDMI Raw output and Dual Shooting (simultaneous stills and video capture).

Should You Upgrade? Canon R5 vs R5 Mark II vs Other Options

For existing R5 owners, the Mark II's improvements might not warrant an immediate upgrade. However, the R5 Mark II represents Canon's most refined hybrid shooter for those entering the system or upgrading from older cameras. If you need serious video specs, the R5 Mark II makes a compelling case.

Canon EOS R5 Mark II Compared

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II stands as an improvement over its predecessor, the R5, in virtually every aspect of performance, but not necessarily in terms of the final image result. While this makes it an attractive choice for most photographers and videographers, the reasons to upgrade varies by use case. If you don’t shoot moving subjects or video often, then you might find the same image quality results as a reason to hold off upgrading for now. But there’s plenty to entice wildlife and sports photographers, and even more for hybrid video shooters. 

Compared to the Nikon Z8, both cameras show impressive capabilities — the R5 Mark II excels at RAW burst shooting, while the Z8 holds a slight edge in video features. The Canon's Action Priority AF and Eye Control could be deciding factors for sports photographers. You’ll want to consider which lenses you need. 

Sony's offerings occupy different niches. The premium-priced Sony A1 targets professional users with a higher budget. At the same time, the Sony A7R V, despite its superior resolution and specialised features like multi-shot high-res mode for landscape photography, can't match the R5 Mark II's speed and versatility. So, if you need a more balanced combination of features, then we’d recommend the Canon R5 Mark II.

Sample Images

Final Thoughts

The Canon R5 Mark II improves upon the excellent original R5. While the original R5 remains a capable camera that will satisfy most of the needs of photographers, the Mark II adds valuable features like improved cooling, refined controls and enhanced autofocus capabilities. The upgrades are incremental but welcome, making an already great camera even better.

The Canon R5 Mark II isn't a revolutionary upgrade, but it doesn't need to be. It takes an already brilliant camera and makes it even better. The improved autofocus, better cooling and thoughtful design tweaks make it one of the most capable hybrid cameras you can buy.

If you're a professional photographer or videographer looking for a do-it-all workhorse, the R5 Mark II deserves a serious look. Just make sure you need the upgrades before retiring your original R5.